Time.

Have you ever wanted to freeze a moment?  A moment so amazing that you stopped in that instant and tried to memorize every single thing about it so that you would never forget it.

I’ve had several of those moments.  More than several, really, there are countless.  But I think you pay much more attention to the moments when you have a second child.  Not that they are more exceptional or more important, but I feel that you are better able to recognize how fleeting they are.

Most recently, the kids and I were at the park and they both wanted me to spin them around.  After a few spins, I took a good look at their faces while in flight.  The joy, the exhilaration was unmistakeable.  Especially Wes who is smaller and has experienced far fewer mama spins.  The look on his face, his fine, almost white hair standing straight up, his toothy smile, his closed eyes, the high pitched giggle.  It was amazing.  I knew in that instant that it was one of those moments, representing, for me, the sweet little stage he’s racing through right now.

A few days later while out with my friend Sarah and our kids, I asked her to try to capture it for me on camera.  That look.  That beautiful 16 month old face.  Pure joy in a 25 second spin.

I’d say she did pretty well.

And there’s my moment.  Captured.  Preserved.  Perfect.

Thank you, Sarah.  I will treasure this.